El Newell receives the Spirit of the Phoenix Award from professor Peter McGuire (photo: Sadie Kupery)

With over 200 students graduating from Fine Arts on June 12, we’re not able to profile everyone but Theatre student El Newell is an outstanding representative of her grad year. A  self-directed theatre major originally from Ottawa, Ontario, El’s studies focused on playwriting, design and directing, along with American Sign Language (ASL). After four years, El will be graduating with both a Bachelor of Fine Arts as well as an ASL certificate. El also received the annual Spirit of the Phoenix Award this year, recognizing both her outstanding  involvement in the Theatre department and academic excellence.

Here, El shares a few of her student memories.

What is your favourite memory from your time at UVic?

“Getting my original work produced by UVic’s Student Alternative Theatre Company (SATCo). SATCo chose to produce my play Horse Girl in my first year of university. This was a huge moment for me as an artist, and a stepping stone into producing my plays through timetheft theatre, a theatre company started with my peers for which I am now playwright-in-residence. Through timetheft, I’ve had my work produced independently at SKAMpede and the Victoria Fringe Festival.”

Where did you love to study, hang out, or unwind on campus?

“The design room in the Phoenix Theatre saw more hard work, more laughter and more tears from me than any other spot on campus — it was a room where I did some of my best work, and where I made some of my favourite memories.”

Was there a course or professor who had an impact on you?

“Dr Alexandra Kovacs is the most impactful teacher I have ever had. Beyond her amazing theatre history classes, Dr. Kovacs supervised my JCURA (“The Well-Made Porn: Dramaturgies of Erotic Webcamming”). She allowed me a space in her master’s-level theatre research and theory classes in my last two years, and supported me through it all. She is an immense source of inspiration for me as a woman in academia and theatre.”

What activity or experience outside the classroom meant the most to you?

“I was the Theatre Course Union (TCU) president for the ’24/’25 school year, as well as serving as the first-year student representative, treasurer and vice-president of the TCU in previous years. Being a part of a student union that works with the theatre department to make our program the best it can be for students, as well as rewarding bursaries, planning events and holding weekly meetings, was a deeply fulfilling experience — year after year.”  

Is your current path what you envisioned for yourself growing up?

“In September I will be starting my MFA at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England! I’d always expected I would go into theatre, but the breadth of knowledge, experience and confidence that I’ve gained at UVic has been beyond my wildest dreams — and I would have never dreamed I could pursue graduate studies if not for the support given to me by the faculty and my peers at the Phoenix.”

UVic in one word?

“Boundless!”